Hydroponic Grow Systems: All You Need to Know

Growing plants in fields and gardens have been the norm since the discovery of agriculture. For this reason, to practice any other form of plant production that isn’t on the field or gardens will look strange. However, aside from growing it outdoor, there is a new way to grow crops, which is known as hydroponics growing or soilless agriculture.

Hydroponics is a soilless and indoor plant
production. This indoor growth system offers many advantages to both the user
and the plant. To the grower, it provides privacy while preventing the plant
from harsh climatic and environmental factors.

Also, plants that are grown in this medium
generally do better than those grown in conventional soil. Over the years, many
have used this system to cultivate various vegetables, including
tomatoes.

Hydroponics ensures maximum harvest as pests
and diseases that affect plants are absent. It also improves crop quality
significantly. Read on To find out more about this system, and how it works.

Hydroponics: How It Works?

Hydroponics offers several ways to cultivate plants. For one, you can grow
plants in plastic containers while adding nutrients via a pump or gravity. This
method also known as the Nutrient Film technique ensures that the minerals get
to the important spots. If you want a suitable option, swap the soil for sand
or Rockwood.

Aeroponics comes as another great way to cultivate
in this system. In this type, the crop suspend in space while the roots stay in
containers with humid air. Here, they get food from an aerosol, which provides the
right amount of nutrients.

You can use hydroponics to grow any plant of your choice.
However, some crops perform better, especially with this cultivation system. If you want a good harvest, consider growing
fruit crops like berries, herbs, and some vegetables.

Hydroponics Growing Mediums

The growing medium used in this system helps
to channel adequate air and support to the plant’s root. It also helps to
supply water and nutrients to the crop.

There are several growth media used in this
system. In hydroponics types like the flow or Ebb system, one of the rapid
draining systems that work effectively is the Hydrocorn or extended shale.
These growth mediums are stable, and it hardly affects the nutrient solution
pH.

Growers can reuse the two kinds of growth
rocks more than once, although with reduced efficiency. For the Hydrocon, this has an enlarged
lightweight mass of clay that supports the growth of plants by supplying enough
oxygen to the root of the plants. However, comparing the two growth rocks, the
shale is likely to spoil than the Hydrocorn, which can last longer.

Another popular growing medium is Rockwool. The material in this case is
not the insulation type used in construction, but an horticultural grade. For
this media, the user will have to insert the grade into cubes and blocks and
press it well.

This material comes as a result of volcanic
eruptions of limestone and rock. The elements then pass through a heating
process of more than 2500 degree temperature and allowed to melt. The melted
liquid goes into a spinning cylinder, the same method used in making cotton
candy.

Afterward, the material enters into a similar
cube, sheets, or block and then you will need to press to take the shape of the
container. Since it holds about 20 percent air bubbles, and more than 13 times
water than the soil, this makes it a perfect fit for any hydroponic
system.

However, growers need to be more careful when
using this growing medium. The reason is that the pH could increase the
alkalinity of the nutrient solution since it has a pH of 7.8. Most gardeners
can only use Rockwool cubes ones because it’s not reusable.

Some other mediums that will also be effective include
vermiculite and perlite, which do not alter the nutrient solution’s pH. It’s
best to use these media when the plants are moisture tolerant since it holds
too much water.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Hydroponics

Benefits

Carry out planting anywhere: Unlike
regular gardening, hydroponics allows you to produce a crop in areas without
space, soil, or adequate lighting. For this reason, it’s ideal for urban
homes with small spaces.

Easy to Control Crop Growth: With this
method, you can manage the supply of food and water to the harvesting point.
You will also have a wide selection of ways to perform this gardening system.

Less work: Compared to regular gardening, hydroponics
does not involve a large number of activities. These include weeding, soil
aeration, and dealing with pests.

Uses less water and Nutrient: Since
hydroponics systems have closed features, they recycle food and water. With
that said, it does not harm the environment since it lessen the carbon
footprint needed to make the process work.

Less transplanting shock: Most
soil-grown plants do not grow well, especially after transplanting. But with a
hydroponic system, transplanted greenery doesn’t affect the plant growth. The
exciting part is that plant grows faster than the ones grown in the soil.

Produces a bountiful harvest: Do you want
an option that provides a year-long supply of fresh fruit? Then, you should go
for a hydroponic system. This method bring out about more harvest than any
backyard garden.

Drawbacks

Requires constant attention: This system
relies on nutrient and water to grow. For this reason, you will have to check
on them from time to time. If you go on a trip, you will end up with dead
plants.

Expensive: Operating a hydroponic system does not cost
much. However, installing one bring about more expenses. The reason is that you
will have to buy several items like containers, fans, pumps, timers, and
lightning.

Hydroponics does not grow every crop: You cannot grow some plants without soil. Also, some plants
require enough room to thrive. So if you want to try this style, have a perfect
knowledge of the spacing or support requirements of the plant.

Needs great Insight: Before you can enjoy the benefits of a
hydroponic system, you will need to have technical knowledge about it. With
that said, this method might not be an easy one for beginners.

Rely on many systems: Every hydroponic system consists of many
components that work together. If one of these parts has issues, the entire
device breaks down and leads to withered plants.

Return is quite Low: If you want to raise crops for sale, the
expensive nature of hydroponic equipment
supplies might make you consider other options. Also, you cannot determine if you will have a
profitable yield.

Best Plant to Grow in Hydroponics

Numerous plants can thrive in the hydroponics system as far as they get access to enough nutrients and proper setup. However, with this system, the plants will require adequate supervision and management to do well. For beginners, it’s better to start hydroponics with plants with great knowledge of it.

Apart from tall trees and shrubs, there are
few things you can’t grow in hydroponic systems. Here is a list of them:

These plants won’t give much stress to a beginner and would be
much fun to grow with a hydroponics system.

Plant To Avoid Growing with Hydroponic System?

Many plants grow well in hydroponics grow tray. However, some of them require extra care and might be better off
in regular gardens. So if you want to take up this plant cultivation system,
avoid the following plants.

Crops with deep roots: Deep-rooted plants need room for downward
movement. They will also need sturdy materials – like earth – to support the
features of their roots. Examples of such crops include turnips, potatoes, and
carrots.

Crops that use excess space: Pumpkins,
melons, squash, and corn love large areas. Besides, these plants need surfaces
that can cope with their weight. If you prefer these crops, stick to
greenhouses or traditional gardens.

Types of Hydroponics?

Hydroponics, in general, has many benefits.
But to have a decent harvest, you should get a model that offers impressive
qualities. Now let’s show you some of the common types and their best models on
the market.

Popular Types of Hydroponics

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

Ebb and Flow System

The Wick System

Nutrient Film Technique

Drip System

Aeroponics

Read on to get an insight
into each type listed above.

1. Deep Water Culture (DWC)

Deepwater culture involves growing plants in a
solution. The term deep water culture hydroponics is
because the plant roots stay in the water, which contains optimal oxygen and
nutrients for plant growth. In this state, the plant is set to complete its
life cycle.

The constant contact of the plants with the
water is what differentiates the DWC hydroponic system from others. The
standard for this system is that the more the water, the less the maintenance.
The logic is simple; the more the volume of water, the higher the oxygen
concentration. Which means it would take a longer time for the gardener to
change the water.

There is a fear that plant roots staying in
water for long might cause death due to suffocation. But this system is
different, and that does not apply to this system. The water in this medium
contains oxygen, which is necessary for plant respiration, thus eliminating
suffocation.

Aside from water, this system also contains
other factors necessary for proper plant growth and development. These factors
include nutrients, temperature, and light intensity.

The air supply in this system remains constant
through the aid of an air pump or falling water. This feature allows the air
bubbles to rise from the water and nutrient solution contained in the
reservoir.

Most times, the growth of plants could reduce
in this system as a result of lack of water, nutrients, light, or temperature.
But with a constant supply, plant growth in this medium is optimal.

One thing that makes this system runs freely and
effectively is the oxygen present in the water. When plants stay in the water
without sufficient oxygen, this makes them suffocate, and die rapidly. So, the
oxygen system must be working at maximum efficiency daily.

To understand this DWC
system designs, let us see how it works.

There are five essential components of this
system, an air-stone, air-pump, airline, reservoir, and net-pot.

The reservoir holds the water and nutrients,
while the net-pot is the plastic mesh that looks like a cup. This pot Is where
the user can insert the plant they want to grow.

For the air system, this comprises of the
air-stone, air-pump, and airline. The air pump connects to the airline, which
attaches to the air stone. The air- stone is the visible component of the air-system
within the reservoir.

The net-pots containing the plant are set up
above the nutrient concentration in the reservoir. Once the plant comes in
contact with the nutrient solution, this promotes immense growth. Furthermore,
due to its mesh feature of the net-pots, the plant’s roots will be able to
spread better.

This system is set up in a way that looks more
like an outdoor garden. But the plant growth process is quite different. In the
field, when plants germinate, the root moves through the soil in search of
water and nutrients. But in the DWC system, when the plant sprouts, the
roots go down to find an already prepared nutrient solution.

2. Ebb and Flow System

This type of hydroponic system uses powerful
recovery features. Here, the reservoir contains a pump while the top tray
houses the plants. Furthermore, they grow plants using a flood and drain
method.

With such method, the unit supplies the grow
tray with excess liquid and clears the solution into the reservoir. To carry
out this process, it uses a hidden pump and timer. As for the tank, it holds
the minerals and pumps.

Switching on the pump sends the nutrient
solution to the top tray. At this part, the roots of the crop can soak up
minerals quickly. Experts describe this stage as the “flood cycle,”
and it continues for 20 to 30 minutes.

At the end of the cycle, a pipe transfers the
liquid back into the tank. Typically, the pump remains active for this process
to take place. When the solution reaches the crop, it removes any unhealthy air
and replaces it with an oxygen-rich variant. With this, the plants can increase
the consumption of nutrients.

You can also set a timer to control the unit
automatically. But first, you will have to consider the size and nature of the
crop, temperature, and moisture content in the air. You will follow the medium
used to cultivate the plant.

If you want to grow your favorite herbs with
this hydroponic system, you can use various types of surfaces. Such media
include growing rocks, granular rock wool, and gravel. Try raising the greenery
in containers filled with such materials, especially if you want to move the
plants around quickly.

Even if the Ebb and flow bucket system has excellent features, it has a few drawbacks. First, using
growing medium such as gravel, the grow rocks, or perlite can cut the power of
the unit and damage the timer or pump.

When this happens, the water cycle stops, and
leads to a set of withered plants. You can avoid this problem by filling the
grow trays with absorbent materials like coconut fiber, Rockwool, vermiculite,
and suitable growing mix.

Unlike some other hydroponic system types, the
ebb and flow system requires minimal care. Also, it does a great job of helping
your seeds become healthy plants in a short time.

In other word, the Ebb and Flow is low
maintenance yet highly effective type of hydroponic gardening Now let’s check
out the best systems that the market has to offer.

3. Aeroponics

This system is quite popular, but if you still
don’t know what is Aeroponics, here is a great insight into it. Well,
the term aeroponics comes from two Greek word “aero,” meaning air,
and “Ponos,” which means to work.

However, the concept of Aeroponic farmingis simple. Air misting provides the necessary oxygen for plant growth, while nutrient mixture offers nutrients. There is a nutrient spray feature that mists the solution directly to the plant roots.

This is a high-tech hydroponic system compared
to the other type. It is difficult to use because the plant is meant to hang in
the air while the root is supplied with nutrients through a spraying
process.

Furthermore, with this hydroponic type, there
is no need for growth mediums like soil. It uses a technology known as air
misting to provide the required nutrient needed to keep the plant alive. This
process is done repeatedly every few minutes to prevent the plant from drying
up as a result of exposure to air.

In this system of hydroponics, the plants go
into the provided frames or boards placed horizontally. This board ensures that
the roots, the crown, and the top plant are in the open air. For this reason,
the plant will grow to its optimal height, both on its root and shoot.

This hydroponic type uses a closed system, so
no nutrient or moisture is lost. Furthermore, plants receive nutrients in the
form of mist, which is a combination of nutrients and water. But the gardener
is to ensure that the plant gets the right amount of mist on the roots at the
right time.

Like other hydroponic systems, aeroponic
farming uses a timer setting. This feature controls the nozzle
that sprays the nutrient solution.

To achieve optimal plant yield, growth, and
development, ensure to carefully follow the instruction manual provided in any
Hydroponics.

Aeroponics is suitable for individuals that don’t have adequate
ground spaces to practice farming. In other words, you don’t need a large mass
of land or interior space to use this gardening system.

The best part is that plants grow faster, and
it has more growth cycles than usual. What’s more is the Aeroponic system also
regulates light and temperature, and this helps to achieve robust growth.

One of the downsides to this system is that it
is expensive to acquire. Also, user will need to check the mist dispensing
mechanism often, to ensure that it is working properly.

Overall, this system makes plants grow fasters. They grow
optimally and have more qualities compared to when you grow plant in other
hydroponics types.

4. Wick System

Four major parts make up this type of
hydroponic unit. They include a grow tray, aeration system, wick, and
reservoir.

Anyone can install and use a wick system,
especially without professional help. For this reason, you can take it to be
the best beginner hydroponic system for beginners on the market. The processes needed to
cultivate crops with this system are also easy to understand.

Unlike other systems, this tool does not
include moving parts. Instead, it works by using rope or fabric to draw
minerals from the hydroponic
reservoir. With this process, the root of the plants
remains well-fed and healthy.

Luckily, a wick system does not use timers or
pumps that can make it expensive. Furthermore, it is a good fit for growing
parsley and basil. But since this tool offers a reduced supply of oxygen to the
plant roots, it stands as the inferior choice for cultivating such crops.

As expected, this tool does not use soil to
grow plants. Instead, you will have common wick materials like coconut fibers, vermiculite,
pro-mix, and perlite.

So how does a wick system work? Here, it uses capillary action to draw and supply the crop with
nutrients. For a better understanding, try seeing the wick as a sponge that sucks
up liquids.

Well-made systems have wicks that can provide
adequate water to a plant. Typically, the crop stays in a container located on
top of another vessel that houses the hydroponic reservoir. With this
setup, the nutrients can reach the growing materials quickly.

If you watch closely, you will notice that
the hydroponic wick system reminds us of the Lettuce Raft style. But the raft style
does not absorb water with a wick. Instead, the roots will stay in the
reservoir.

You can use a wick system to grow herbs
like rosemary or even lettuce. When it comes down to it, these plants do not
require excess water. But if you love growing water-loving plants like
tomatoes, choose other hydroponic indoor
growing systems.

Asides these types of crops, massive-sized plants tend to
consume the nutrient solution quickly. This issue makes a wick system a poor
choice for such greenery.

5. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Like most Hydroponic Systems in General, the
Nutrient Film technique has powerful recovery features.

NFT hydroponic system is one of the popular methods of soil-free gardening,
which requires a steady supply of nutrients. With this in mind, the pump does not
need a timer.

Under this method, the nutrient solution
flows through a pipe, travels over the roots, and returns to the tank.
Commonly, these cycles occur for 24 hours.

Compared to other hydroponic systems, this
style of indoor gardening has complicated features in this unit, the tank
supplies oxygen-rich liquid into the planting tube. To allow the solution to
make a complete cycle, you will need to set PVC pipe you want to use at a slanted angle.

A grow basket or support collar holds your
plants in place. If you choose the basket, it consists of gaps that allow the
crop plants to reach the nutrient solution. Instead of a growth medium, the
unit offers air, and this erases the need for medium replacements.

Sometimes, the liquid might not flow
effortlessly from the planting. When this happens, it stays at the pipe, thus
allowing bacteria that can harm the plants to thrive.

Besides that, these conditions encourage the
growth of thicker roots that can also stop the free flow of the solution. You
can avoid this problem by setting the pipe at a steep angle so that the liquid
travels quickly.

Apart from clogged pipes, indoor growers might
not know how to adjust the functions of the unit. For instance, NFT products
have issues of power failures and damaged pumps. Due to these problems, the
roots will not receive adequate nutrients and dry out in the process.

As mentioned earlier, this method of gardening
does not use a growing medium. So the plants do not have a secondary source to
get food and water. Overall, any break in the transfer of the liquid leads to
unhealthy roots and dead herbs or flowers.

If you ignore these problems, you will
discover the fantastic benefits of NFT. For one, you can enhance various parts
of the system. You can achieve this task by punching more holes – in the
planting tube to contain more plants.

If you don’t feel comfortable with this enhancement,
simply add extra planting tubes to the setup. Will the new options affect the
system? Since the pump and the reservoir can cope with the load, you shouldn’t
have any problems.

6. Drip Systems

This Hydroponic system uses drips for the
supply of water and nutrients, and one of the popularly used types. In this
system, it has a reservoir that contains a submersible pump connected to
supply, which directs the nutrient to the plant.

This hydroponic system features a drip emitter
used to regulate the nutrient supplied to each plant. The control is quite easy
as it uses timer settings, which allow the pump to push in the required
nutrient through a narrow drip line.

There are two types of drip system- the recovery and non-recovery type. The recovery time has a drip tray under the row of plants. This tray collects the un-absorbed water and sends it back to the reservoir. The non-recovery type disposes of the excess liquid by allowing it to run into the ground.

The recovery system is usually the best
drip irrigation kit because of its efficient use of
nutrients. The best part is that it does not waste excess solution, rather it
recycles them for future use. The recovery system houses a pocket-friendly
timer, but this feature does not need stringent control for plant growth.

Unlike the recovery type system, the
non-recovery system heavily depends on the use of timer control. This feature
is to ensure that the watering cycles are accurate, and the loss of nutrients
is minimal.

A downside of the recovery system is that it
requires proper maintenance. Also, the excess solution recycled could make the
pH and nutrient strength of the reservoir vary. For this reason, it requires
regular checking of the solution to ensure top-notch performance.

On the other hand, the non-recovery system is
easy to maintain. All the gardener needs to do is add more nutrients and water
to the reservoir, and the let timer control setting does the work.

The challenge facing the drip system generally
is blockage of the drip holes. This blockage is a product of large particles
present in the nutrient mix.

For this system, Rockwool, pear moss, or
coconut coir are the best slow draining medium used to regulate the drip flow.
But any other growing medium will work great.

Conclusion

Plant production is evolving daily with the
discovery of better ways to produce plants. Hydroponics ensures climatic and
environmental factors or space does not limit planting. The six popular systems
of hydroponics we discussed above have their strengths and weaknesses.

The drip system ensures
optimal crop production but would be labor-intensive. The reason is that you
have to control the flow of nutrient solution to the roots of plants.

The deepwater culture
hydroponics system gives the plants water, oxygen, and
nutrients all year round. But users will need to change the water often and is
usually expensive to set it up.

The Wick system is one of the best for
beginners, since its set up and planting process is very easy to carry out. The
only downside is that it is not suitable for large size gardening.

The mini aeroponics system, or larger models, involves growing plants in an air medium. This system is very productive, but quite expensive and highly technical.

For the Nutrient Film technique, it doesn’t
use growing medium, which mean it erases the problem related to disposal,
supply, cost. But if there is a breakdown or blockage of the flow process, this
could make the plant dry out and die.

Ebb and Flow system is also another hydroponic
system that is quite affordable. Also, it is easy to handle that’s if you set
everything right. The biggest problem of this system is that the flood drain
could get faulty, thus flooding the plants.

With all these mentioned above, it is
advisable to go for the type and the best hydroponic models that you can handle.